Virginia’s defense and special teams got high marks in the Cavaliers’ season-opening victory against BYU. Quarterback David Watford and the new offense got by on the bare minimum. The Cavaliers’ touchdown drives covered 19 and 13 yards, and one was set up by a blocked punt, the other by an interception. Virginia was forced...

RENTON, Wash. – D’Anthony Smith and O’Brien Schofield were both considered expendable by their former teams. Schofield was waived by Arizona and Smith was traded by Jacksonville. Unless the Seahawks get healthy in a hurry, both could be Week 1 starters for Seattle.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Jim Harbaugh wants to ensure mobile San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick isn’t blatantly targeted. So the 49ers coach has gone to the NFL for clarity about when Kaepernick is supposed to be safe before declaring himself a runner. Kaepernick ran the read option to near perfection on the big stage against...

INDIANAPOLIS – Darrius Heyward-Bey stands contentedly at his new locker. It feels like home. Here, he’s working closely with Reggie Wayne, the first true mentor he’s had since arriving in the NFL in 2009. He’s lining up with another speedster, T.Y. Hilton, in three-receiver sets and two new young talents at tight end, Coby Fleener...

EUGENE, Ore. – The No. 2 Ducks had possession of the ball fewer than 20 minutes in their opener against Nicholls State, meaning the defense shouldered its share of the work. That gave the coaching staff plenty to look at in assessing the side of the ball that often gets overlooked at speedy Oregon. Overall,...

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Now that the initial shock has worn off, the Oregon State Beavers are left with assessing the aftermath of Saturday’s loss. There’s little question where the blame for the loss to lower-division Eastern Washington lies: Eagles quarterback Vernon Adams put up astounding numbers on the Oregon State defense, throwing for 411 yards...